Carlos Melia global bespoke Travel Agent, Travel Blogger, Concierge, Hospitality Consultant and Wedding Planner. Member of VIRTUOSO. Has earned, after over 25 years of Mainstream and Gay Travel experience, the mote of "Little Marco Polo". Jetsetter, bon vivant curates the world of luxury travel & lifestyle by experience, one destination at the time. Associated to First in Service Travel and Tzell Travel Network. Founder of LGTNetwork﻿ - Luxury Gay Travel Network. Follow, read and share my travel experiences worldwide at www.carlosmelia.com

Category: Rio de Janeiro

My RIO DE JANEIRO part two with Restaurants, Hotels and more | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | So I landed in Rio de Janeiro, for two weeks, during the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics. I have been in Rio countless times, but always discovering new locations, hotels, restaurants and attractions. These are some of my findings during my recent visit. Also see all my minute-to-minute past/current/future posts and experiences in Rio de Janeiro.

In full Olympic mode for the next two weeks for RIO 2016 Summer Olympics | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | Palpation the RIO 2016 Olympics from Copacabana Beach. See all my minute-to-minute past/current/future posts and experiences on RIO 2016 SUMMER OLYMPICS.

My own personal postcards of Rio de Janeiro | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | A collection of my favorite postcards for my lasted visit to Rio de Janeiro, all photos taken by me using my iPhone6. I spent a week at the carioca city of Rio, curating the best experiences, restaurants, venues and locations with a view, to host events and activities for my VIP clients coming next year for the 2016 Summer Olympics. Here some of the stunningly beautiful panoramic views I found along the way. Continue reading My own personal postcards of Rio de Janeiro

Evening exploring Vidigal Favela to the very top | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | I would say that one of the best experiences I did, during my recent visit to Rio de Janeiro, to curate unique travel experiences for my VIP clients coming to the 2016 Summer Olympics next year, was something was ranking high in my travel bucket list, after being in Rio for many times in the past. Venturing into the intriguing world of a Favela, was quite interesting, and what I found atop Morro do Vidigal – which gives name to the Favela Vidigal – was indeed unexpected.

Behind-the-scenes Samba Experience | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | If there is an experience you must have when in Rio de Janeiro, it is SAMBA, and what best than doing a behind-the-scenes tour to the world of the “samba schools” of Rio, which has remained mysterious and hidden. Let’s open the doors to reveal the secrets behind it. For this I came to the Samba City in the district called Little Africa, A beautiful, ancient and historical part of the port of Rio, where samba and the very first samba school was born. Hosted by one of the last year winning Escola de Samba Mirim Pimpolhos da Grande Rio ” Samba School “. Continue reading Behind the scenes Samba Experience

Not to Miss and Should Miss restaurant experiences in Rio de Janeiro | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | Rio de Janeiro, same a London, was never known to be a gourmet destination. But over the years and since my last visit, this has changed and developed drastically. Six One-Michelin starred restaurants, lots of fine and informal Brazilian Cuisine options have taken over the Carioca cuisine scene, and more will come coping with the pulse of the 2016 Summer Olympics in the horizon. For this reason, I came to Rio de Janeiro for a full week, to experience, review and curate the best on the radar and tucked away gourmet gem and experiences, to offer to my VIP clients/guests coming to Rio next August 2016 to attend the Olympics. Nowadays, my savvy travelers demand more than just celebrity Chefs, international awards and glamorous locations. Overall experience, food quality, local influence and friendly service rank high to select the best gourmet options. See below my list by experience of Not to Miss, Undecided and Should Miss restaurants. Bon Appetite. !!! Continue reading Not to Miss and Should Miss restaurant experiences in Rio de Janeiro

(*) To book your own travel experience, do not hesitate to contact me either by email carlos@carlosmelia.com or phone # 917.754.5515. Also check our scheduled Small Travel Groups at Coups de Coeur. I am an experienced Travel Agent with over 25 years of experience, member of LGTNetwork, First in Service Travel, TZELL Travel Network. www.carlosmelia.com

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Sugar Loaf and Guanabara Bay in Rio de Janeiro | Rio de Janeiro,Brazil | During the course of my city tour yesterday in Rio de Janeiro, we made a stop at one of the two iconic Carioca attractions. One, the Corcovado Christ Redeemer, and then, the Sugar Loaf “Pão de Açúcar”. Located at the mouth of the Guanabara Bay, same that the first portuguese settlers the 1st of January 1502. From there the name Rio de Janeiro, Rio (River) and Janeiro (January). When sailing across the Guanabara Bay, they though they were on the mouth of a river, and this happened in the month of January. The name Sugar Loaf, is said to refer to its resemblance to the traditional shape of concentrated refined sugar loaf. Continue reading Sugar Loaf and Guanabara Bay in Rio de Janeiro